Categories: John Hancock Observatory

John Hancock Obervatory: Sky Tour

Author: Emily Capdevielle

The Sky Tour caters to all age groups with a kids and adults version available in English, German and Spanish so even the kids can appreciate the magnitude of Chicago’s history and enjoy seeing the cities landmarks.

The Sky Tour is on the 94th floor of the Hancock Observatory and is narrated by Chicagoan and famed actor David Schwimmer. Schwimmer guides you through Chicago’s sites on each numbered window that circles the building. Schwimmer captures and maintains your attention while including an intriguing history and background of Navy Pier, Buckingham Fountain and Museum Campus to name a few. This tour lets you go in any order you please to enable you to see all the sites—without pushing your way through a crowd--- that your guide is telling you about through your headsets. The player also always you to stop, pause, rewind or fast forward any section of the tour so you can set your own pace.

 If you’d like a closer look of Chicago’s sites, the Hancock’s Soundscopes are talking telescopes that are located at several of the windows. The telescopes not only enable you to see your favorite sites closer, but have sound effects like chirping birds while peering out over Lincoln Park or a cheering crowd while looking over Soldier Field. Some locations covered in the tour are difficult to find, especially on a foggy day. However the multimedia player will display pictures of the site and how to spot it out the window to make sure you don’t miss out on seeing anything.

While you’re being guided through the tour, one of the most exciting things the Hancock has to offer is the open-air Skywalk. While there is no glass dividing you and the windy city, there is still stainless steel screen to keep you safe. Be a part of this unique experience 94 stories above the Magnificent Mile.

After you go through the Skywalk, you can dive into more of Chicago’s history with the “History Wall” including four murals stretching longer than 80-feet. From Chicago’s first resident Jean Baptiste Point Dusable up to the start of construction of the Hancock building in 1967, the wall displays the transformation Chicago has gone through including through the devastating Chicago Fire in 1871.

If you’re looking for more of a history behind the Hancock building itself, there is a three-screen showing of the History Channel’s “Modern Marvels” episode of the development and behind-the-scenes look of the world’s first skyscraper.


A crucial part to making your trip to the Hancock Observatory complete is making sure you have something to remember your trip by. There are photo opportunities for you and your friends or family to have your picture taken before you get on the fastest elevator in North America traveling at 20mph. Smile and say “cheese” as your picture will include different backdrops of Chicago’s remarkable scenery. You have the opportunity to pick up your photos either after you finish your tour or beforehand. Another photo opportunity is at the “Washing Windows at ‘Big John’” which stages a daring photo shoot. This fun display has props to pretend like you are one of the Hancock’s window washers complete with a steel beam to strike a pose on.

There is also a souvenir shop “Love From Chicago” that you can stop by anytime on the level that has everything from postcards of the Hancock building to stylish totes and t-shirts that are all things Chicago. Whether you’re a local or a visitor to the city, you’re bound to find something that catches your eye to remember your trip to the Hancock by.

 

Hours

The Hancock Observatory is open daily from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Admission 

Adults (12-64) - $15

Seniors ($65+) - $13

Youth (4-11) - $9

Children (under 4) - FREE

 

Fast Pass (express up and down the Observatory)

Adults (12-64) - $15

Seniors (65+) $13

Youth (4-11) $9

Children (under 4) - FREE 

Parking

The John Hancock Center provides a 750-car garage that has entrances on Chestnut St. and Delaware St.

 

 

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Saloon Steakhouse
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Zest
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Ralph Lauren
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The 900 Shops
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Comfort Inn
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Park Hyatt Chicago
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One of the city's top hotels and with a commanding view of the Mag Mile, the Historic Chicago Water Tower, The Hershey's Store and much more. The restaurant here, NoMI, is consistently ranked as one of the best in town, especially for their coveted window seats.